| You feel like you have been here before. You've | | | | may be assessed more harshly, including the |
| made few mistakes in the past, and the two | | | | imposition of a longer jail term if the court finds |
| previous DUI convictions were challenging to deal | | | | appropriate. |
| with. Once you have been convicted of a first | | | | If you have been charged with a felony DUI in |
| DUI offense, the penalties become increasingly | | | | Arizona, it is imperative to hire an experienced |
| steep. While the law is more lenient toward first | | | | DUI attorney to represent you. A DUI lawyer in |
| time offenders, as your charges accumulate the | | | | Phoenix can explain to you what to expect from |
| judges are less and less likely to be forgiving. | | | | the local court system in light of the serious |
| In Arizona, while most drunk driving charges are | | | | nature of the charges, plan a strategy to fight for |
| misdemeanors, after your third DUI within seven | | | | your rights, and assist you in obtaining the best |
| years, the charge is considered a felony, | | | | possible outcome. Some ways in which an |
| regardless of the level of your blood alcohol | | | | experienced DUI lawyer in Arizona can help |
| content. The penalties are harsh, including: | | | | include: |
| • Being charged with a class four felony | | | | • Getting inadmissible evidence thrown out |
| • A minimum prison sentence of four months, | | | | • Looking for any violation of your |
| which could br greater, depending on your | | | | constitutional rights |
| individual factors | | | | • Inquiring into the arresting officer's |
| • Fines can be levied in excess of several | | | | background and experience |
| thousand dollars, depending on your violations | | | | • Questioning whether probable cause for the |
| • Revocation of your drivers' license for three | | | | initial stop existed |
| years | | | | • Asking about the officer's reasonable |
| • If you receive probation, you will likely have | | | | suspicion that led him to pull you over |
| to attend and pay for counseling and treatment | | | | • Finding errors in the blood alcohol testing |
| sessions | | | | methods and procedures |
| • After your release, you could be placed on | | | | By making sure you have someone to help you |
| probation for up to five additional years | | | | tell your side of the story, you increase your |
| • If you are the owner of the car you were | | | | chances of success and make a positive |
| driving when you were arrested for drunk driving, | | | | resolution to your DUI charges. Remember, |
| the court may seize your vehicle from you | | | | Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws on |
| It is important to note that if you have any sort | | | | record, so make sure you take the charges |
| of additional criminal history, other than your | | | | seriously and protect your rights. |
| previous DUI convictions, some of these penalties | | | | |